LISBON, Portugal: Portugal's Catholic Church said on March 26 that 57 victims of sexual abuse by the clergy would receive a combined 1.6 million euros (US$1.85 million) as compensation.
At least 4,815 children and vulnerable adults in Portugal were sexually abused by the Catholic clergy, mostly priests, over the past 70 years, a Church-funded commission found in February 2023.
"Financial compensation does not erase what happened or undo the consequences of abuse in the lives of those affected... We renew our apology for all the harm caused," the Portuguese Bishops' Conference (CEP) said in a statement.
CEP said that only 95 people applied for compensation during the given time. Of these, 67 were eligible, while the rest were rejected for failing to meet the rules or for not attending the commission.
It also said that 57 claims have already been approved, with payments ranging from 9,000 to 45,000 euros per person.
Nine more claims are still being reviewed to decide how much compensation they will receive.
